Liposomal Microencapsulation of Rodent-repelling Agents onto Jute Burlaps: Assessment of Cytotoxicity and Rat Behavioral Test.

In Egypt, the world’s biggest wheat importer, about 7 to 10 percent of stored grains are damaged because of poor conditions of storage. Rodent invasion is considered as one of the main reasons that caused wheat grain damage. With respect of food safety, this work aims to treat the grain burlaps (containers) to rodent repellent. The rodent repellent agents was extracted from natural local resources. For the rodent repellent effectiveness, wheat burlaps are treated with rodent repelling agents using eco-friendly components. There are prepared using camphor oil, mint oil, and capsaicinoids (extracted from hot red pepper) as local resources to develop low cost and high-performance final product. The plan of work relies on two main axes; first, the experimental part in which burlap was treated for rodent repellent; second, testing and characterizing the treated samples for cytotoxicity and animal behavior test. The treatment was taking place by conventional pad-dry-cure technique.

Encapsulation of Nicotinamide into Cellulose Based Electrospun Fibers.

Systematic application of topical drugs has been widely prescribed as an effective treatment for skin disorders. However, the widespread use of such topical drugs is also associated with emergence of resistant strains of microorganisms resulting in patients resist for one or more antibiotics. Nicotinamide, a water-soluble amide of nicotinic acid and a common topical drug, is approved as anti-acne drug with anti-inflammatory potentials. Encapsulation of nicotinamide into electrospun water-soluble matrix that chemically crosslinked is the approach to control its release. In this research, biocompatible nano-fibrous mat was developed with hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) blended with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) by electro-spinning technique. The concentration of HEC (5% w/v) with PVA (10% w/v) was optimized, blended in different ratios (20–50% HEC concentration) and electro-spun to get smooth nano-fibers. Nicotinamide was successfully encapsulated in the electro-spun fibers. Nicotinamide release was controlled via chemical cross-linking of the produced mat. Selected parameters of spinning solutions (viscosity and conductivity) and process parameters (applied voltage and needle-to-collector distance) were studied. The microstructure, morphology of blended HEC/PVA, nicotinamide -loaded nano-fiber, cross-linked HEC/PVA nano-fibrous scaffolds were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). SEM images showed that the mean diameters of blend nano-fibers were ranged from 80 to 60 nm. The release profile of the nicotinamide was demonstrated. Release profile of the uncrosslinked and crosslinked mats were demonstred. Immortalized human skin fibroblasts cells were used to examine the biocompatibility of the produced HEC/PVA/ nicotinamide electrospun mats.

Controlled Release of Drugs from Cellulosic Wound Bandage Using Silica Microsphere as Drug Encapsulator Module.

Controlled-drug-releasing materials show promising applications in medicinal bandages. In addition, one could incorporate drugs to make such bandages more versatile. During this context, silica microparticles were synthesized, during presence of different drugs namely sodium diclofenac, linoleic acid and recienoleic acid. The morphological characterization shows formation of monodispersed, silica microparticles. FT-IR spectroscopy provided the interaction of the drug molecule at its hydroxide (OH) site with oxygen ions on the silica surface. UV–vis spectroscopy showed persistence of the different drugs signature, especially its R group, confirming its antimicrobial activity even after conjugation. Using zone-of-inhibition studies, the antimicrobial studies were done on two microorganisms, namely, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. However, the encapsulator module showed controlled release of all drugs for the duration of 48 h. This work demonstrated an effective protocol to prepare antimicrobial patches for controlled drug delivery.

Chitosan Liposomal microspheres for Ricinoleic acid Encapsulation.

Ricinoleic acid (RA) is a C18 fatty acid (FA) with a double bond at the C 9 position and a hydroxyl group at the C(12) position (cis-12-hydroxyoctadeca-9-enoic acid). Recently, RA has been reported as a pro/antiinflammatory and analgesic agent for topical applications to be considered as an alternative to irritant substances that relive pain. However, RA when it is exposed to air, it reacts with the oxygen and decomposes into shortchain aldehydes and ketones. Moreover, pathologically, small amount of anesthetic agent acts on peripheral nerves, producing reversible block in transmission of peripheral nerves impulses. However, larger amounts effect potentially in the central nervous system and may cause cardiac arrest. Accordingly, extended release formulations for local anesthetic agent such as encapsulation, are highly demanded if the drug will be used for long period. In this work, ricinoleic acid, extracted and characterized, was encapsulated into a new matrix made of phospholipid liposomes and chitosan to protect and control RA release. RA release was controlled by crosslinking the matrices using glutaraldehyde. Spectral and morphology analysis are used to characterize the produced microsphere. The cytotoxicity test is considered to examine the final product biocompatibility. The encapsulation efficiency was investigated by UV- Visible spectroscopy.

Biomaterials Based on Essential Fatty Acids and Carbohydrates for Chronic Wounds.

Chronic wounds such as decubitus ulcer remain challenging due to their integrated and overlapping phases. The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) enzymes, whose main function is to degrade all kinds of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, aid cellular migration and extracellular remodeling. MMPs, in the wound bed, allow the lysis of the dead tissues, by which the macrophages task becomes easier to digest the dead cells. MMPs activities should be monitored and inhibited as the healing process proceeds. If MMPs are not inhibited in time, they will break down tissue to attack the ECM itself creating chronic wounds. In the current work, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and ricinoleic acid (RA) are extracted from commercial oils as MMPs inhibitors. A pharmaceutical carrier is formulated containing chitosan fine particles, impregnated silver nanoparticles into microcrystalline cellulose, CLA and RA. Carrier and the active ingredients were prepared and characterized by spectral and morphological analysis. The final formulation was examined for antimicrobial, cytotoxicity, and in-vivo wound healing activity. Results showed a strong inhibitory activity against the tested pathogenic microorganisms for the silver contacting samples. The rates of wound closures during wound healing in diabetic male-rats of formulas containing ricinoleic acid was faster than that containing conjugated linoleic acid.